A17698:4474
Sermons upon Deuteronomy
The sermons of M. John Calvin upon the fifth book of Moses called Deuteronomy faithfully gathered word for word as he preached them in open pulpit; together with a preface of the ministers of the Church of Geneva, and an admonishment made by the deacons there. Also there are annexed two profitable tables, the one containing the chief matters; the other the places of Scripture herein alleged. Translated out of French by Arthur Golding.The sermons of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the fifth booke of Moses called Deuteronomie faithfully gathered word for word as he preached them in open pulpet; together with a preface of the ministers of the Church of Geneua, and an admonishment made by the deacons there. Also there are annexed two profitable tables, the one containing the chiefe matters; the other the places of Scripture herein alledged. Translated out of French by Arthur Golding.
London: printed by Henry Middleton for George Bishop, 1583
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But let us come to the blessings which Moses giveth to the Tribes of Israel. I have told you afore that they be not single prayers, made as by a private man: but that forasmuch as God had appointed him to be his deputy, he declareth that the state of the Church shall be always blessed, & that God will have a care thereof. Moses then speaketh here, not in his own person, nor of his own authority; but as one governed by the holy Ghost, and as one whom God caused to show forth the fatherly care which he would always have of his Church. To be short, there is nothing here which ought to be fathered upon a mortal man: but by the mouth of Moses God showeth that he hath not chosen the children of Abraham in vain, but that he will continue his goodness towards them to the end, and show in very deed that they be a people whom he hath adopted to himself and dedicated to his own service, and of whom he will be the defender. Howbeit, forasmuch as these things shall be laid forth more at large; I do but touch them shortly as now.
But let vs come to the blessinges which Moses giueth to the Tribes of Israell. I haue tolde you afore that they be not single prayers, made as by a priuate man: but that forasmuch as God had appointed him to be his deputie, he declareth that the state of the Church shalbe alwayes blessed, & that God will haue a care therof. Moses then speaketh heere, not in his owne person, nor of his owne authoritie; but as one gouerned by the holy Ghost, and as one whom God caused to shewe foorth the fatherly care which he would alwayes haue of his Church. To be short, there is nothing heere which ought to be fathered vppon a mortall man: but by the mouth of Moses God sheweth that hee hath not chosen the children of Abraham in vaine, but that hee will continue his goodnesse towardes them to the ende, and shew in very deede that they be a people whom he hath adopted to himselfe and dedicated to his owne seruice, and of whom he wilbe the defender. Howebeit, forasmuch as these thinges shalbe layd foorth more at large; I doe but touch them shortly as nowe.
Let us come to that which is spoken of Reuben. Let Reuben live, and not die. We know that Reuben was Jacobs eldest son, and ought to have obtained the right of the first begotten, and ought to have had a double portion, and to have reigned among his brothers: but he was bereft of it by his own lewdness. For he committed incest, which was a crime worthy of more than death: he deserved to have been wiped out of the world, and to have had his name reproachful for ever.